Iconic movie tribute visits bluegrass legends experience

 Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American  road action film starring  Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams and Mike Henry. The directorial debut of stuntman  Hal Needham,  the film follows Bo "Bandit" Darville (Reynolds) and Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Reed), two bootleggers attempting to illegally transport 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana to Atlanta. While the Snowman drives the truck carrying the beer, the Bandit drives a 1976  Pontiac Trans Am dressed as a 1977 to distract law enforcement (called blocking) and keep the attention off the Snowman. During their run, they are pursued by Texas county sheriff  Buford T. Justice (Gleason). Smokey and the Bandit was the  second highest grossing film of 1977  in the United States.  

 Snowman’s Run to Benefit Wounded Veterans is a 501C charity based on the movie Smokey and the Bandit. Our name is based on Jerry Reed’s character from the movie where they made a “run” from Texarkana to Atlanta. 

The organization is managed by Tyler Hambrick and Ron Franks. We travel all over the country doing events in honor of Jerry Reed who spent many years of his life helping veterans. We are very blessed to have our vehicles and decided we should “give something back” to those who served this great nation. We travel around this great nation and do what we do best, “show off”, to quote the Bandit. 

Our charity is dedicated to the memory and work of the late Jerry Reed who played the truck driver Cledus “the Snowman” in the movie. Many may not be aware that Jerry, who passed away in 2008, was also an army veteran and spent much of his career behind the public spotlight supporting and benefitting wounded veterans. Having established a close relationship with Jerry’s family, Tyler reflects on their wish. “When we finished the truck and trailer in 2009, we asked the Reed family, what would Jerry want us to do with it. Their response was to continue his tradition of helping the vets.” Thus came the inspiration to raise funds for wounded veterans in Jerry’s honor.

Partner Ron Franks met Tyler back in 2007 and they have worked in tandem ever since. Ron has his own personal motivation for helping wounded veterans. A close family member was killed in Vietnam back in 1969.

The friends we make on runs and the ensuing comradery are the best rewards. “Our ‘family’ goes from place to place, leaving only smiles behind us, and sometimes a few black marks on the pavement.”

Ron and Tyler attribute their Christian faith and the shared vision of their friends and associates for overcoming insurmountable financial barriers.  Says Tyler with emphasis, “A God-given vision will always be fulfilled. If God’s hand is in it, it can’t be stopped.” Thus began a string of seemingly miraculous events, too numerous to be considered simply coincidences, in the establishment of their charity. 

We are Christians who strongly believe in God and country. We believe in honoring God and those who served in uniform. 

No one on our staff makes a profit or salary.

Tyler and Ron state emphatically, “Anyone is invited to cruise with us! All vehicles are welcome, we would love your participation.” 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1419377645005291/

https://www.snowmansrun.com/

For 2023 "The Snowman's Run" has chosen to start their run in Owensboro Kentucky as a part of the "Bluegrass Legends Experience" weekend. They will depart Owensboro on Monday August 21st 2023 and travel to some Kentucky tourist attractions spending a week on the highways and ending the following weekend in Dayton Ohio for the 2023 Trans Am National Convention.  

You can click on the "VISIT SNOWMAN'S RUN WEBSITE" button and find more about joining in with the 2023 run.

2023 Snowman’s Run Agenda

We designed this run so you can enjoy your car, run with the SATB rig, and have fun with only three hotel stops. The agenda is open, so feel free to join us anytime!  All vehicles are welcome.  Come join the fellowship with old and new friends. 

Owensboro, KY – August 18, 19, 20

Friday, August 18, 2023:

We will start the run just outside our host hotel on the Owensboro Riverfront at the Friday After Five event. The event includes 5 music stages with live bands. We will be allowed to display the SATB rig and our cars at the Riverfront cruise-in. The hotel restaurant and riverfront are all within walking distance. Park your car and have fun!

Friday after 5 (FA5) : https://fridayafter5.com/  Our signature “Toast to the Sunset” takes place right on the riverfront at every Friday After 5.

7:00 pm: Group dinner @ Lure Seafood & Grill: https://www.lureowensboro.com/

Don’t let the name scare you, the menu has a variety for all. We have rented an area for our kick-off party.

8:30 pm - 11:30 pm The Ruoff Party Stage features the Mississippi River Electric Blues band: Lew Jetton & 61 South

Saturday, August 19, 2023: Bluegrass Legends car show:

https://legendscarshowobky.com/

There is a $20 fee for each vehicle registered in the car show for donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The Car, Truck, Jeep, Rat Rod, Motorcycle Show includes food trucks, beer garden, vendors, and live music. Moreland Park is a mile from the hotel. We will have a convoy from the hotel to the park that morning at 8:30 am.

Dinner 5:00pm Moonlite Bar-B-Q   Buffet Menu has other items also

Sunday, August 20, 2023: Bluegrass Legends car show:

https://legendscarshowobky.com/  Awards will be given that afternoon

Dinner   5:30pm Mellow Mushroom ( 2 blocks from the hotel)

Owensboro options:

Green River Distilling Co. 10 Distillery Rd, Owensboro, KY: https://www.greenriverwhiskey.com/

Brashers Little Nashville, Owensboro KY: https://brasherslittlenashville.com/

Bluegrass Museum & HOF: https://www.bluegrasshall.org/

Monday, August 21, 2023:

AM: Leave for Churchill Downs Derby Museum

$45 per person Leave Owensboro at 8:00 a.m. CST – arrive at 11:30 a.m. ET (2.5 hour drive, NOTE: time zone change)

Please pay Tyler in advance for group discount. There will be a link posted.

Churchill Downs Derby Museum Lunch Tour:

A viewing of “The Greatest Race,” a 360° multi-media experience that will give you chills as you are immersed in the magic of the Derby.

Access to our Resident horses at the Stable.

The Derby Museum Store.

Kentucky-inspired dishes, Mint juleps, and Bourbon flights in the Derby Café & Bourbon Bar.

11:45 a.m.: Arrival at the Museum

12:00 p.m.: Group Derby Cafe Lunch

1:00 p.m.: Guided Track Visit

1:40 p.m.: “The Greatest Race” Showing (18-minute film)

2:00 p.m.: Exhibits and Store Time

2:45 p.m.: Departure from the Museum

The drive to the hotel is about a 20-minute drive.

PM after the tour, Dinner on your own (options below):

Brick House Tavern & Tap 871 S Hurstbourne Parkway

Gustavo’s Mexican Grill 401 S Hurstbourne Parkway

Bristol Bar & Grill 300 North Hurstbourne Parkway

Carrabba’s Italian Grill 617 South Hurstbourne Parkway

Tuesday, August 22, 2023:

9:00 a.m. Veterans Hospital visit (Matt/ Judy Smith/ Susan Ellinport)

We have been approved the park the rig and cars at the hospital. Let’s put a smile on their face and “give back’ to those who have given so much for all of us.

Lunch

Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grill

5700 Captain’s Quarters Rd, Prospect, KY

Scenic drive, enjoy your vehicle!

Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110

Wednesday, August 23, 2023:

Free Day/Visit downtown Louisville /pool day/Boat cruise/ The Riverfront & Bridge

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm:  Belle of Louisville Boat Cruise: https://www.belleoflouisville.org/cruises/leisure-cruises/anchors-away-wednesdays/

NOTE: This is NOT a dinner cruise. $14.99 per person Louisville,

The boat fills up fast, book online ASAP

Louisville Slugger Museum (800 West Main St., Louisville, KY 40202) https://www.sluggermuseum.com/visit Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST

Frazier History Museum (829 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202 https://www.fraziermuseum.org/  General hours are Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center: https://www.fraziermuseum.org/ kentucky-bourbon-trail-welcome-center Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Louisville Ghost Tours; Of Melancholy and Mourning Ghost Tour: https://ghostcitytours.com/ghost-tours/louisville-ghost-tours/melancholy-mourning. All of our tours are walking tours.

The Brown Hotel (335 W Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202-2105) for a world-famous “Hot Brown”. https://www.brownhotel.com/dining

Thursday, August 24, 2023:

10:30 a.m. Speed shop & Indy Track & Museum

10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 23rd

1:30 PM Indianapolis 500 Museum

- (lunch fast food on the way to the track)

3:30 pm - Drive back to Louisville

Friday August 25, 2023: 7:00 a.m.:

Drive to TA Nationals/Dayton, Ohio (3 hour drive): arrive 10:00 a.m. The rig will leave 700 AM sharp. If you want to run with the rig be checked out, fueled and ready to roll.

Hotel check in

Friday night Cruise in

Saturday night Tipp city